Alan Paton Quotes

Sins cannot be undone, only forgiven.

Many without punishment, but none without sin.

Forgiveness to the injured does belong; but they ne'er pardon who have done wrong.

And the only thing to do with a sin is to confess, do penance and then, after some kind of decent interval, ask for forgiveness.

To forgive oneself? No, that doesn't work: we have to be forgiven. But we can only believe this is possible if we ourselves can forgive.

In order to properly repent, he who has sinned against the public must make public reparation.

Whoever hates his sins will stop sinning; and whoever confesses them will receive remission. A man can not abandon the habit of sin if he does not first gain enmity toward sin, nor can he receive remission of sin without confession of sin. For the confession of sin is the cause of true humility.

Sins cause harm and repentance removes the cause

There is no sin that God cannot pardon. All we need to do is ask for forgiveness

It's not a problem that we're sinners; it's a problem that we aren't ashamed of our sin and don't seek forgiveness.

And there, right in the middle of it, I find 'Forgive us our sins as we forgive those that sin against us.' There is no slightest suggestion that we are offered forgiveness on any other terms. It is made perfectly clear that if we do not forgive we shall not be forgiven.

We should always forgive. We should forgive the repentant for their sake, the unrepentant for our sake.

Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us.

Repentance is a sweet solace to conscience as well as the most complete atonement to the Supreme Judge of our offenses; notwithstanding, the tongue of malevolence and scurrility may be continually preparing its most poisonous ingredients for the punishment of a crime, which has already received more than half a pardon.

Heaven finds an ear when sinners find a tongue.

Great is the difference betwixt a man's being frightened at, and humbled for his sins.

'Tis easier for the generous to forgive, than for offence to ask it.

I cannot stand that whole game of confession, that is: Here I have sinned, now I'm confessing my sins, and describing my path of sin and then in the act of confession I beg for your forgiveness and redemption.

I have sinned against you, my Lord.

It is much easier to repent of sins that we have committed than to repent of those that we intend to commit.

Let God and all his creation teach you what your sins are.

One of the great benefits of organised religion is that you can be forgiven your sins, which must be a wonderful thing. I mean, I carry my sins around with me, there's nobody there to forgive them.

I've got the best deal on Earth. Where else can I sin and know that I'm forgiven for it?

Mistakes you can learn from; sins stay with you forever.

Forgiveness is the remission of sins. For it is by this that what has been lost, and was found, is saved from being lost again.